Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship

EDF is hiring an Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship in Dunbar, Scotland. This four-year program blends on-site learning with practical study, beginning with two years at the National College for Nuclear in Somerset and finishing with two years at Torness nuclear power station. The starting salary is £17,606 per year, and you’ll work toward a BTEC Level 3 qualification while building real engineering skills aimed at a career in Britain’s low-carbon energy future.

You’ll spend the first part of the programme developing hands-on skills across mechanical, electrical and instrumentation disciplines in state-of-the-art facilities, including virtual reality environments, with accommodation provided. You’ll be mentored by experienced engineers and gain confidence as you learn alongside other apprentices starting their careers in the industry. In years three and four, you’ll apply what you’ve learned in a live setting at Torness, collaborating with seasoned professionals and tackling genuine engineering challenges to earn recognised qualifications and ready yourself for future roles.

If you enjoy practical problem solving, are eager to learn, and want a structured, long-term route into engineering, this could be the right path for you.

Two years of hands-on learning in Somerset

The early years focus on building broad trade skills in maintenance and operations within the nuclear sector, with dedicated support from mentors and engineering teams. You’ll gain practical know-how across mechanical, electrical and instrumentation work, develop your technical and communication abilities, and learn to apply your knowledge to real engineering challenges. The setup is designed to help you grow independence and confidence while you live in student accommodation and study at a national centre specifically geared for early careers in engineering.

In years three and four, you’ll transition to on-site work at Torness, putting your learning into practice alongside experienced professionals. The experience is anchored by real projects that reflect the needs of a working nuclear plant, helping you build a solid foundation for a successful engineering career after the apprenticeship ends.

What you’ll need to bring to the table

Must-have requirements

• Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above (or equivalent), including Maths, English and two science or technical subjects
• A genuine interest in engineering and a willingness to learn
• A positive attitude toward picking up new skills and taking on practical challenges
• Eligibility for Security Vetting, which usually means having been a UK resident for at least three of the last five years

Nice-to-haves

The listing doesn’t specify additional preferences beyond the must-haves.

Pay, benefits and practical details

The apprenticeship starts at £17,606 per year, with a market-leading pension scheme. In addition to salary, the package includes customizable benefits like electric vehicle leasing, discounted gym membership, life assurance, tech vouchers, experience days and more. The programme spans four years, with two years at the National College for Nuclear in Somerset and the final two years at Torness nuclear power station, all on a full-time, onsite basis. The company emphasises inclusive recruitment and Disability Confident practices, aiming to make the process accessible and to progress candidates who disclose a disability and meet the minimum criteria.

Applicants should note the recruitment process involves an application followed by a video interview, an assessment centre if successful, and a final interview. The company guides candidates through each step and keeps applicants informed throughout the process. The period for applications ends on 30 October 2026, and successful entrants will join the programme in early September 2027.

As part of the package, you’ll need to upload a CV and answer several questions as part of your application. Further details and resources can be found on the Early Careers Training Programmes page.

Find out more at: Early Careers Training Programmes | EDF UK

Advice for applicants

First, lead your CV with the apprenticeship title and your GCSE results, making sure Maths and English are clearly visible along with the science or technical subjects you’ve studied. If you have predicted grades, include them so the recruiters can see your timeline for meeting the must-haves.

To prove the must-have skills, pull together concrete examples from school, projects or work where you demonstrated curiosity in engineering, tackled a technical problem, or collaborated on a hands-on task. Describe the challenge, the action you took and the outcome, focusing on learning and improvement as you worked toward a practical solution.

For interviews, prepare to discuss how you’d apply what you learn in Somerset to real tasks at Torness, including how you’d approach maintenance work, safety considerations, and teamwork. Be ready to talk through a specific scenario where you learned something new and used it to resolve a fault or optimize a process.

Smart questions to ask include how mentorship is structured across years three and four, what kinds of projects apprentices typically contribute to at Torness, and what progression looks like after completing the BTEC Level 3 qualification.

Getting your application in

To apply, you’ll need to upload a CV and answer a set of questions as part of the application process. The closing date is 30 October 2026, and successful candidates will join the programme in early September 2027. For more details, visit the EDF Early Careers page linked above.